1
as in to arch
to cause to turn away from a straight line
she bent the blade of the knife when she got it jammed in the drawer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
bent herself to the task for the rest of the day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
bent all of his efforts toward making his first documentary film
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to distort
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of
attorneys bending the facts to put their client in the most favorable light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to attach
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curvature
something that curves or is curved
it's hard to see around that bend in the road, so be careful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bend
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The movie bent itself around her in other ways.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025
Kate Pitts, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
Get more aggressive with the play calling This applies to both Canales and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, whose 3-4 scheme relies on a bend-but-don’t-break principle that at times feels too passive.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bend
Verb
Tomasek’s power play misses After Demko gloved his shot from the slot, David Tomasek bent over with his stick resting across his knees and bowed his head.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The movie bent itself around her in other ways.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
This wide-legged forward bend creates space not just along the backs of your legs but in the hip adductors of the inner thighs.
—Kate Pitts, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
Get more aggressive with the play calling This applies to both Canales and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, whose 3-4 scheme relies on a bend-but-don’t-break principle that at times feels too passive.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bend
Verb
-
Upstairs, the loft-style rooms are decked out in designer furniture (specifically, Eames and Bertoia chairs), arched French windows, and polished concrete floors.—
Siobhan Reid,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Such ambiguity works to the film’s advantage, as Leonberg focuses on Indy’s face and lets audiences project our own feelings onto the cocked head, the questioning expression, his brows arched in either curiosity or concern.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Most of these patients devoted hours every day to managing their condition.—
Carrie Arnold,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Just because the administration has no legal authority to designate a domestic terrorist organization, Aceves said that does not mean the administration won’t devote a great amount of resources toward it.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
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The homes aim to overcome barriers found in traditional shelters by allowing for privacy, property, and pets.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At an altitude of 625 kilometers, an 18-meter reflector — even if optimally curved to focus that light down onto the Earth’s surface — would create a spot of light just-under 6 km across on Earth’s surface.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
15 Oct. 2025
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This Samsung Odyssey curved monitor deal sets you up with pro visuals at a much friendlier $179 price tag on Walmart.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As business leaders and economists begin to take concerns of an AI bubble more seriously, the proliferation of loose internet bots has become more alarming because of their potential to distort data key to assessing the sustainability and growth of emerging tech companies.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
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The macula, part of the retina needed for sharp vision, may become distorted, causing blurry sight.—
Liz Szabo,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Democrats argue that the healthcare reforms are urgent, and millions of Americans will see premiums increase dramatically if Republicans fail to attach the provisions.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Oct. 2025
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Like his style or not, the Sharks have an owner who is intricately attached but keeps his hands off until he’s called upon.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As first predicted by Albert Einstein, gravitational lensing occurs when a massive celestial body causes a sufficient curvature of space-time for the path of light around it to be visibly bent, as if by a lens.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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Engage the core to help keep the lower spine curvature neutral and not rounded or slouched.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And, well, the Bengals entered their tilt Thursday in Pittsburgh averaging a league-low 56 rushing yards per game, 25 fewer than the next lowest tally.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
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The reigning champion Eagles are (back) on tilt after losing two straight games, while each of the other division leaders has major flaws.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bend. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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